About

Unbearable – Polar bear impaled by CO2Graph in Paris.

DKK 90,347

pledged of DKK 66,000 goal

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backers

Unbearable in progress, and pre-models

Through the NGO Art In Defence Of Humanism (AIDOH) we use sculptural art to visualize the injustice and oppresion that occurs all over the world. While people forget politics and statistics, they remember our strong sculptural expressions.

The huge Unbearable sculpture is to be displayed at COP21 in Paris in December, the most important UN Climate Conference in years. The eye-catching sculpture will be the symbol of how human activity affects the global climate and remind the public of our responsibility to future generations.

A 20 meter long climate graph, impales the Polar Bear in 6 meters height. The graph shows cumulative global fossil fuel carbon emissions. It starts in year 0 and continues along the ground for 17 meters. Then rises dramatically around year 1850 as human consumption of fossil fuels like coal and oil takes off. The graph ends in year 2015, six meters above the ground impaling the polar bear.

Help make this a reality at COP 21

Making the Sculpture

At gallery Galschiot we have more than 20 years of experience in making large copper sculptures (see Gallery). Our engineer has made the technical calculations on how to make the structure for the CO2-graph and the polar bear. In short we have the capacity to realize the sculpture. However we need funds to realize the project.

The Polar Bear is molded. Later is will be cast in copper.

The artist & Crew

Artist Jens Galschiot (Wikipedia) is known for his gigantic, political sculptural art happenings all over the world. "Internationally, Galschiot could be characterized as one of the most significant Danish artists of late modernity. (...) He is among the best-known Danish artists abroad. (...) Galschiot creates international happenings to highlight the present imbalance of the World".
By Bruun Rasmussen, Scandinavia's largest auction of fine Arts.

Jens Galschiøt on the project: "I am creating the sculpture Unbearable to stage humanity's negative effects on our climate. At first sight the sculpture might seem foolish or tragicomical. But then you realize that a polar bear is being pierced by a graph of carbon emissions created by human consumption. Many believe that we are on the right path to solving the climate crisis, but we won't get there unless we change our ways – now!"

The Crew & Aidoh. At the 2000 sqm. workshop Gallery Galschiot, loads of volunteers and a couple of employees work days and some nights to finish the big sculptural art happenings. This is also where we produce the smaller "nice and payable" sculptures – like the rewards. The sale from these sculptures finance the workshop and the NGO 'Art In Defence Of Humanism' (AIDOH). www.aidoh.dk

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The Unbearable crew

Rewards

All reward-sculptures and material are made by hand in our large art studio in Odense, Denmark. This is also where we build up the Unbearable sculpture and other big sculptures. The limited reward sculptures are signed by the artist.

Placing the sculpture in Paris

Unbearable is to be placed at the very entrance to COP21, meaning that world leaders and media cannot avoid it. At the moment WWF France is working on permissions for that. If this is not possible, it will be centrally placed in Paris.

The media

Our goal is to make Unbearable become the unofficial logo for COP21. It is to be the symbol of climate changes, and for that we need media coverage. Conferences are "unsexy" to report about and Unbearable will provide meaningful, good pictures and an interesting story, ideal for media.

CNN, BBC and other leading world media covered our happenings during COP15 in Copenhagen, in Kenya, Hong Kong etc. We are confident that there will be even more front pages about Unbearable. The press will easily pick up the story. And just to be sure we are going to send out press releases and info letters through our international mailing list of 90.000(!) email-addresses.

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The funding

Art In Defense Of Humanism (AIDOH) is nonprofit organization. And though most people work voluntarily and every penny is turned twice, there are loads expenses realizing the Unbearable project.

Large amounts of Wax and Copper to build the sculpture.

Materials to build the inside steel construction.

Transport of sculpture to and from Paris and renting crane to put up the sculpture.

A bit of food to the volunteers making the sculpture.

Lots of unforeseen costly details

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Stretch goal 1 (US$15,000)

This funding we will use to "take down" Paris.

Demonstration Parade! We bring 8 carts with smoking statues of liberties, klezmer music, a large number of climate-refugee sculptures and "hunger boys" struck by climate changes. All will be part of the summits demonstration march to put focus on the consequences of climate changes. If you are in Paris you are welcome to join the parade!

Demonstration parade - COP21, Denmark & Rio+20, Brazil.

Stretch goal 2 (US$30,000)

Freedom to pollute: we bring our 8 meter tall model of the statue of liberty. From her torch smoke pours out, and on board is written "freedom to pollute". If possible we will place the sculpture under the Eiffel Tower!

Refugee ship: if possible we will bring a rented ship and fill it with sculptures of climate refugees and sail it around The Seine (main river) (note that it is a bit uncertain if this can be done, but we are looking into it.)

Climate related sculptures to bring to Paris

Stretch goal 3 (US$1,000,000)

Happening Mania: Galschiot and Art In Defense Of Humanism goes happening crazy, realizing all kinds of socially focused projects that we've been wanting to do for years!

Risks and challenges

Making Unbearable: We have the experience and capacity to make the big sculpture!

The Rewards. Are already being produced and will be ready to be send.

Placing the sculpture; We need to get closer to COP21 before we can confirm where the Unbearable sculpture will be placed during the summit. But we do have good contacts and it will go to Paris!